Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.

The top offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants domestically and abroad.

"The year's tuna heralds a prosperous start," remarked the business owner, a familiar participant at the traditional new year's auction.

Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is noted for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This most recent purchase surpasses his own record purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his personal record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.

The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," shared one elated diner.